The following college events and stories have appeared in the media recently. We want to share your media involvement too. Please send information about your NMC-related interview or appearance to publicrelations@nmc.edu. If possible, please include a link to the piece and information about where and when it was used.
Please note access to some stories may be limited by paywalls set up by the media outlet. This includes the Traverse City Record-Eagle, which limits free clicks to five per month. You may also read Record-Eagle articles in the print edition at the NMC Library.
Crucial Conversations for Accountability is a two-day course that is strongly recommended for all supervisors, academic chairs and program coordinators, but all regular employees are welcome with supervisor approval. While Crucial Conversations for Accountability may sound like a “gotcha” approach, it is exactly the opposite. The training provides practical tools grounded in mutual respect, active listening and collaborative problem-solving. During this two-day training, learn how to have difficult conversations in a way that solves problems while improving relationships. Attendance is required both days for course completion.
Dates/times
Friday, May 15 AND Friday, May 22, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. (on campus)
NMC will host a mobile food pantry on Monday, April 20 from 3–5 p.m. in the Maple Lot on the Front Street campus. We have 3,505 pounds of goods including instant mashed potatoes, dried beans, raisins, apples (bulk), eggs, cutie tangerines, frozen zucchini and celery.
We ask that recipients queue up in the car line in a counter-clockwise circle around the edge of the parking lot. Please do not block the main access roads, be aware of other students using the parking spaces and watch for children being picked up at the Oleson Learning Center adjacent to the Maple Lot.
This program is designed for NMC students and is open to anyone in the community who is in need. Interested in volunteering? Email Cathy Warner at cwarner@nmc.edu.
NMC is participating in Denim Day a week early on April 22. Everyone is encouraged to wear denim that day if you are able to as a way to show support for survivors during sexual assault awareness month. To learn more about Denim Day and its origins please visit denimday.org.
These colleagues have moved on to a new chapter in their lives. We wish them the very best as they navigate a new adventure, and we thank them for their time and dedication to NMC!
Magnus Mannor, supplemental employee – Food Service, Back of House
Jenifer Taylor – Facilities Project Manager
Jonah Villanueva, supplemental employee – Banquet Server, Hagerty Center
Zelda Wagner, student employee – Writing Center Teaching Assistant
Northwestern Michigan College announces its 5th Annual Learning Symposium, scheduled to take place from April 23 to May 2. This event, sponsored by the Experiential Learning Institute, will showcase the diverse ways NMC students and faculty engage in high-impact teaching and learning.
The Learning Symposium will feature a variety of student and faculty artifacts, experiences and scholarship. Attendees can expect to see oral and poster presentations on research and community engagement projects, academic courses, service learning experiences, and community partnerships. The learning symposium highlights experiential learning and other high-impact practices in and/or out of the classroom.
Student’s in Cathy Warner’s ENG 111 class have spent the semester researching ways to improve facilities, programming and resources in the community and at the college. Topics range from how NMC can create a universal free meal plan for all students, to environmentally friendly alternatives to rock salt in the winter months. View the full list of presenters
NMC & GVSU Student Science Symposium presentations
5:30–7:30 p.m.
Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center, room 106/107
April 27–May 2
Displays and Artifacts Timothy J Nelson Innovation Center lobby and hallways
April 28
Reflective Table Talks
Noon–1 p.m.
Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center hallways This is an informal session where students and staff will share about their projects and events at tables in the hallways
Student’s in Cathy Warner’s ENG 111 class have spent the semester researching ways to improve facilities, programming and resources in the community and at the college. Topics range from how NMC can create a universal free meal plan for all students, to environmentally friendly alternatives to rock salt in the winter months. View the full list of presenters
April 29
Brandon Everest’s SOC 201 student presentations
1–2:30 p.m.
Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center 104/105
Kristy McDonald’s BUS 231 NMC Hero Race student presentation
3–4:10 p.m.
Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center 106/107
April 30
Becca Richardson’s MTH 120 student poster presentations
1–1:45 p.m.
Health & Science Building atrium next to the bookstore
Charles Macphee’s EGY 105 student presentation
6–9 p.m.
Aero Park Laboratories, room 222
May 1
nEXt Endorsement student capstone presentations
2:30–5:10 p.m.
Janis Room, Dennos Museum Center
Honors Convocation
5:30–7:30 p.m.
Milliken Auditorium, Dennos Museum Center
We are looking forward to celebrating all of our wonderful colleagues at our You Made it Possible on May 13. We hope you’ll join us in celebrating the following employees who have reached milestone anniversaries:
5 Years
Christa Abdul-Karim – EES Program Coordinator
Kevin Avery – Adjunct English Instructor
Skylar Berry – Financial Aid Specialist
Justin Casey – Lead Flight Instructor
Timothy Hudson – Adjunct Sociology Instructor
Tyler King – Adjunct Flight Instructor
Kenneth Klumpp – Technical Instructor
Michael Kudirka – Adjunct Applied Music Instructor
Christine Mac – Math & Science Instructor
Randy Melick – Humanities Instructor
Jim Patterson – Director of Financial Aid
Uriah Petersen – Adjunct Construction Technology Instructor
At the March 23 meeting of the Board of Trustees, Jason Slade presented a summary of Strategy 1: Future-Focused Education:
Objective 1: AI Integration The college aims to embed responsible and effective Artificial Intelligence (AI) use across teaching, learning, and operations to improve student outcomes and workforce readiness.
Success Indicators: Faculty and staff will receive training to add ethical AI enhancements to curriculum, while students will develop digital skills required for 4-year transfer institutions. NMC will adapt to meet the needs of regional employers
Year 1 Focus: Identify “AI navigators” and develop a departmental AI decision-making framework covering ethics, cost, and impact. Identify employer and transfer institution needs and expectations.
Objective 2: Experiential Learning & Durable Skills This objective focuses on integrating work-based learning and “durable skills” (soft skills) across all programs to enhance employability.
Success Indicators: Align curriculum with priority skills identified by regional employers and expand the experiential learning endorsement (nEXt). Create opportunities to provide career resources, micro internships, and pathways to apprenticeship credentials.
Year 1 Focus: Identify programs lacking experiential activities and roll out durable skills language into a new faculty-led advising model. Identify opportunities and funding mechanisms for additional work-based projects.
Objective 3: Distinguished Programs NMC intends to invest in and innovate “distinguished programs” that attract students from outside the immediate region.
Success Indicators: Increase visibility and stature for Aviation, Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS), Great Lakes Culinary Institute, Maritime Academy, and the Water Studies Institute (GLWSI). Leverage the Freshwater Research and Innovation Center. Develop advanced certifications for UAS courses.
Year 1 Focus: Develop a comprehensive UAS strategy. Align GLWSI and FRIC for academic and professional blue tech training. Full utilization of GLMA’s Robinson Bay tug.
Objective 4: Support for At-Risk Students The college will use a data-driven approach to support students in courses with high DFW (D, F, or withdrawal) rates.
Success Indicators: Scale the CollegeEdge preparedness program and implement coordinated early interventions in gateway courses to improve outcomes. Increase success and retention rates for at-risk students.
Year 1 Focus: Define “at-risk.” Improve workflows. Create an early alert process. Establish sustainable funding for CollegeEdge.
A dancer in a past graduation pow wow (download a high-resolution version here)TRAVERSE CITY — Northwestern Michigan College’s Native American Student Organization will hold a traditional pow wow honoring 2026 graduates from 1–4 p.m. Saturday, April 25, on NMC’s Front Street campus. This annual event is open to the public and celebrates vibrant and culturally significant Native American tribes of our region. Four Native American students are graduating this spring.
The pow wow will take place under the pines on the south side of the Osterlin Building, and feature Native American dancers, drummers, storytelling, music and more. Food and vendors will also be available. Grand Entry is set for 2:30 p.m. Attendees can park in the Aspen or Cherry lots. A campus map is available at nmc.edu/maps.
Northwestern Michigan College does not discriminate in admission, campus activities, education, employment, housing, public accommodation or public service on the basis of age, color, creed, disability, gender identity/expression, handicap, height, marital or familial status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, service in the military, veteran’s status, weight, or any other legally protected status under federal, state, or local law. No act of retaliation shall occur to any person making a charge, filing a complaint, testifying or participating in any discrimination investigation or proceeding. nmc.edu/non-discrimination
The following college events and stories have appeared in the media recently. We want to share your media involvement too. Please send information about your NMC-related interview or appearance to publicrelations@nmc.edu. If possible, please include a link to the piece and information about where and when it was used.
Please note access to some stories may be limited by paywalls set up by the media outlet. This includes the Traverse City Record-Eagle, which limits free clicks to five per month. You may also read Record-Eagle articles in the print edition at the NMC Library.
To the Business 231 students organizing the NMC Hero Race to benefit College for Kids scholarships this coming Saturday, April 18. More than 220 runners are registered for 1 mile, 5K and 10K races. The event also includes a Friday evening pasta dinner and family fun after the race. Register and find out more here.
Kudos to Nick Gates and Sharon Angel! Thank you so much to Nick Gates and Sharon Angel for their above-and-beyond efforts cleaning the vent hood in the Parsons-Stulen Makerspace! It was a large, messy job; their efforts made all the difference, making a presentable environment in this public space. Amazing!
Experts suggest maintaining an “attitude of gratitude” increases positivity for yourself and for others. Please encourage your colleagues by submitting a KUDOS. Let them know you appreciate their hard work and are thinking of them!
The public can now take an illustrated walk down NMC’s memory lane, with the publication of a digital timeline to celebrate the college’s 75th anniversary.
The timeline covers 110 “milestones” spanning the founding of Northwestern Michigan College as Michigan’s first community college in 1951 to this year’s 75th anniversary celebration. It was created by a history-focused workgroup with representation from across the college.
The group endeavored to show the people who created NMC history as much as the establishment of programs and construction of the physical campus. The timeline also offers present-day context to help viewers understand NMC’s growth and impact. For example, text about the college’s first Commencement in 1953, when 28 students graduated, notes that in 2025, 565 students earned degrees and certificates, a twentyfold increase. A 2018 milestone, awarding $1 million in scholarships, notes that just a few years later, in 2024-25, NMC would double that achievement, awarding $2 million in scholarships.
“The timeline depicts both NMC’s lasting legacy and the bold future ahead,” said Stephen Siciliano, NMC Vice President of Educational Services and chair of the history work group. “Throughout the years, we’ve been proud to be the community’s college, helping to transform the lives of our learners and their families.”
Led by Ryan Bernstein, NMC Curriculum and Instructional designer, the group curated the timeline from thousands of historical images, documents and artifacts. Longtime college archivist Ann Swaney is also a member of the history workgroup, providing valuable institutional memory and guidance through the process.
Milestones are spread fairly evenly through the decades. The timeline is available at nmc.edu/75.
NMC will also celebrate its history at a daylong anniversary special event Saturday, July 25. It will include:
10 a.m. History Showcase, Milliken Auditorium: Debut screening of 75th anniversary video; panel discussion of NMC history, opening of 50th anniversary time capsule
11 a.m.–2 p.m.: Self-guided history walk to activity stations around NMC’s Front Street campus; opportunity to contribute to centennial time capsule; lunch in the NMC Innovation Center
7 p.m. (tentative time): NMC Music Department Concert, Milliken Auditorium
NMC has published three history books covering 20-year segments of its history. The most recent ends in 2011. In addition there are Maritime and Art Department history books. All are available to check out at the NMC Library.
TRAVERSE CITY — Northwestern Michigan College (NMC) Extended Education & Training invites the community to a day of educational exploration at Campus Day 2026 on Friday, May 8, at NMC’s Front Street Campus. This community event is geared towards those 50 and better, though all ages are welcome to attend. Registration is open now at nmc.edu/campus-day.
Attendees personalize their learning experience by selecting three sessions from a diverse offering of over forty topics. The event will feature time for ‘Coffee & Connection’ before the sessions commence, followed by a hosted lunch for all attendees.
Campus Day 2026 features a wide range of sessions, from “Rocking Your World” to “The Edmund Fitzgerald: The Stories, The Song” to “NMC at 75”, and many more. Sessions will be presented by NMC instructors and other local subject matter experts. Sessions are filled on a first come, first served basis, so early registration is recommended. Cost for attendance is $75, which includes coffee and donuts, attendance at three 75-minute sessions, and lunch. Students may register online at nmc.edu/campus-day, by calling (231) 995-1700, or stopping into the NMC Extended Education & Training office. The office is located on NMC’s Boardman Lake Campus at 2200 Dendrinos Drive, Traverse City, MI.
Release date: April 9, 2026
For more information:
NMC Extended Education & Training ees@nmc.edu (231) 995-1700
Non-Discrimination Policy Notice
Northwestern Michigan College is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, disability, genetic information, height, weight, marital status or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions. nmc.edu/non-discrimination
Experts suggest maintaining an “attitude of gratitude” increases positivity for yourself and for others. Please encourage your colleagues by 